Greens unimpressed by draft 'Europe 2020' plan

A draft 'EU 2020' strategy proposal has come under attack for failing to offer a road map to green growth, despite rhetoric on the importance of gaining a competitive edge in environmental technologies.

The European Commission's draft, seen by EurActiv, flags green growth as one of three priorities for building a competitive economy by 2020.

It stresses the need to exploit "Europe's leadership in the race to develop greener and cleaner technology" and improve resource efficiency, while promoting the roll-out of smart electricity grids and EU-wide networks.

The Commission proposes three "flagship initiatives" on resource efficiency, clean and efficient energy and an industrial policy for the globalisation era, with the aim of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and reliance on imported fossil fuels.